What FR games are you currently playing in?
I'm currently running my first game in the Realms after years of creating my own settings. Its a 4E game, using the 4E Realms. The PCs are currently in a small town near Baldur's Gate that is a little too close to the border with Amn. Amoral merchants and violent criminals from Amn have taken over, and the current storyline is pirated wholesale from the Akira Kurosawa movie Yojimbo(with a small piece of Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest for good measure). The depravity of Amn is making for a great game, as the players are struggling with having to stoop to their level and be just as bad as the bad guys in order to do the right thing and clean things up.
I am also about to join an online 4E game which I will be a player in. I'm almost sure I'll end up playing a Drow Rogue. It'll be challenging, since our DM is a FR Drow worshipper, and more specifically a fan of the Lolth worshipping backstabbing Drow of the Underdark. Playing a Drow who hates his own kind and takes his greatest pleasure in killing them is going to be a challenge for that game. I'm not sure where this game will be set or even what timeframe, but I've got a flexible backstory for coming into being.
The PCs are currently in a small town near Baldur's Gate that is a little too close to the border with Amn.
Huh?
Anyway, since you asked, I'm currently playing in a 3E Realms game that takes place in Tethyr (circa 1375 DR). The other players and DM happen to be posters here.
Huh?
I wasn't really clear there. The town really isn't that close to Baldur's Gate. It simply exists in the Baldur's Gate sphere of influence, as close to Amn as possible.
I'm just going by the map and regions put forward in the FRCG. North of Amn is Baldur's Gate.
I wasn't really clear there. The town really isn't that close to Baldur's Gate. It simply exists in the Baldur's Gate sphere of influence, as close to Amn as possible.
OK, that makes more sense. Thanks for the clarification.
I do wish that the local game store where I live would get in the FRPG and adventurers vault soon sigh.
At the moment, we're in Cormyr, specifically in the Storm Horns. The PCs just managed to hack their way through several dozen Zhentarim goons up to the gates of a mountain stronghold, suffering much loss of blood but none of resolve, and they now prepare to storm the gates.
Their goal is to retrieve the bones and armor of a fallen Netherese hero, which had previously been in custody of the church of Kelemvor in Skull Crag, who'd been preparing to offer it to the Shades as a discreet goodwill gesture on behalf of Cormyr, in the interest of maintaining the peace. The Zhentarim want it for purposes mysterious, but undoubtedly nefarious, given their unchecked hatred for all things Shadovar.
The real story:
Show
Little does anyone know, the entire situation with the "peace" offering has been the work of Bregan d'Aerthe agents. The mercenary company is actually quite interested in lessening tension between Netheril and outside realms--once other peoples are a common sight in the streets of Netherese cities, the drow plan on presenting themselves in a 'business' capacity, primed to make an absolutely massive profit for when Netheril finally decides it wishes to expand it's borders (and if a few careful orchestrations of diplomatic atrocities are needed, so be it--they're a patient bunch). The PCs are likely to figure this out when the Kelemvorite high priest that the Zhents took captive is revealed to be a dark elf himself.
What I do know:
We are a mercenary group. Name of our group is undetermined as of yet, but I would like to enter "The Bridgeburners" as a candidate. ;)
(If taken seriously, the above, if not, an alternate name could be The Hands of Fate.)
We all met in Tantras, traveling across the inlet, past Sembia to somewhere in the Thunder Peaks. That is where our H1 adventure is taking place. Fun fun!
Anyways, we are 8 players strong, consisting of:
Leaders: Genasi warlord and human cleric (me)
Defenders: Dwarf fighter, dragonborn paladin, and human fighter
Controllers: Eladrin wizard
Strikers: Half-elf ranger and eladrin rogue
Anyway, since you asked, I'm currently playing in a 3E Realms game that takes place in Tethyr (circa 1375 DR). The other players and DM happen to be posters here.
-This.
I'm putting a 4E 1-16/18 adventure together in/around the Sea of Fallen Stars, centered on the Abolethic Sovereignty and Xxiphu, I'm sort of writing the story backwards (which is a new challenge for me, I'm used to starting from bottom to top), but I'll have the groundwork set in less than two weeks, and gameplay can begin... actually, that reminds me...
PCs just chasing down small leads here and there, perpetuating the story in its own rights, nothing fancy or over-the-top. No specific end game.
Latest endeavor was a relocation to Evereska given ambassadorship (Spellguard/Silverymoon) w/ PC interest after phaerrim onslaught; dmg control really for elf mage PC, thousands of dead combatants of war there (g/f's jergalite cleric hook), mercenary opportunity (friends's Ftr hook), etc.
Asked to reconnoiter one of the many Hills surrouding Evereska as it's a magical capacitor that fed city's mythal and has changed hands a few times between phaerrim/slave armies, Shadovar, and elven/allied interests. It's "battery" to fuel main mythal has been compromised between 3 forces enough to destabilize region and work some unusual FX (read, means to otherwise engage PCs in short on time fashion ;) ).
All 3 occupying forces dabbled w/ its intrinsic properties making it unstable at best; ie)intermittent weave/shadow weave magics, occaisional oddball roll, etc. Conflicting magics, PCs must fix. Go in, kill evil monsters, study/restabilize hill battery, cast Sending to mythal HQ for report, restore network, evac, allied human/elven division reoccupies Hill, reward.
So, they overcome current phaerrim host of mindflayers, hobgoblin slaves, etc., and liberate Shadovar captive (unknown spy/diplomat to Evereska) phaerrim were torturing/interrogating for war related intel etc.
Massive undead 3rd party from neaby South (Battle of the Bones) migrate into area given super huge attrition between allied armies, shadovar, and phaerrim armies (lot of "raw materials" and necromatic mojo floatin' around). They of course, want the Hill/battery too. Shadovar refugee helps them stabilize one of the capacitor's contingency magics previous Shade occupiers created before phaerrim forces overran them; keyed 1-way portal. PCs must use it or be overrun by undead forces. Jump or die situation.
They jump; goes to Plane of Shadow, PCs very pi$$ed but refugee was holding back and is naturally, uh, shady. Decide to treck across Shadow Plane's mirror of Anauroch in hopes of finding a Shadovar outpost or some means of returning to Prime Material and going home...quickly.
Apart from that, nothing else is really planned saved for occaisional wandering monster, weird planar stuff etc. Having difficulty given limited planar descriptions and so forth. Is it pitch black or just shadowy all the time? Weather? etc. Thoughts, ideas?
Apart from that, nothing else is really planned saved for occaisional wandering monster, weird planar stuff etc. Having difficulty given limited planar descriptions and so forth. Is it pitch black or just shadowy all the time? Weather? etc. Thoughts, ideas?
-The Plane of Shadow is coterminous (was that the word?) with the Material Plane, so it basically looks like what the Material Plane looks like, only in shades of black, white and gray. Have you seen the Lord of the Rings movies? Think of what everything looks like when someone puts on the One Ring, only darker. That's how I picture it. That's also how I picture the Ethereal Plane, only bluer.
-The Plane of Shadow is coterminous (was that the word?) with the Material Plane, so it basically looks like what the Material Plane looks like, only in shades of black, white and gray. Have you seen the Lord of the Rings movies? Think of what everything looks like when someone puts on the One Ring, only darker. That's how I picture it. That's also how I picture the Ethereal Plane, only bluer.
No, I got that much via ManofPlanes, Planar Handbook, DMG, etc. But they don't identify alot of the basic necessities, merely glossing over it as "black vault, no stars" or "moonless night". So is that total concealment for non Darkvision types, just 20% then, what? Travel w/ Light, Daylight, sunronds is a given, but they don't give much depth on the ground floor, but are surgically precise about light/fire/shadow magic to be sure. Odd.
I am kinda' fudging the rest. Geography is a twisted mirror, so that makes it easy, so on that end, I figure weather is too...albeit completely supernatural given no sunlight.
Not sure even how to adjust "Getting Lost". Cannibalized open plains (between Evereska & Anauroch shadow side), but the DC should be higher given no sunlight, shifting geography, etc.
Just throw out any ideas that you might have, see what sticks.
I'm putting a 4E 1-16/18 adventure together in/around the Sea of Fallen Stars, centered on the Abolethic Sovereignty and Xxiphu, ...
Anthing you write up about the Abolethic Sovereignty I'd dearly love to read.
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Currently running two FR games.
The first and longest running is set in the 3rd Edition Realms using the 3E rules and has been running continuously for about eight years. Current game year is The Year of Lightning Storms, 1374. All the characters are Epic (23rd to 25th level).
Play currently revolves around the player’s efforts to tame the Stonelands and defending Cormyr from Shade; countering the machinations of the Shadovar, the Daemonfey, the Zhentarim, the Eldreth Veluuthra and the priesthoods of Shar and Cyric; playing at intrigues and navigating the rich, moneyed waters vis-à-vis Waterdeep’s nobles; and spreading the influence and teachings of Aumanator.
My other game is a 4E game set in the 4E Realms. We’re playing through H1: Keep on the Shadowfell and using a heavily adapted version the official FR Conversion for H1 by Greg Bilsland. The players just reached 2nd level and are busily uncovering secrets the Rallyhorn noble family would just as soon see left unknown.
The 4E characters are most of them related to the 3E characters in some way, which is a fun challenge for me with regard to maintaining inter-campaign continuity and plotting.
I also, on occasion, run an Avatar campaign set in 1374 Realms along the Sword Coast. The good thing about this is that I try to do the quests and missions that can be resolved in 1 or 2 sessions. This give the PCs some down time to gain gold using their profession skills, make magical equipment, etc. Works good as what the 4e DMG calls an episodic-campaign (i think?)
I'm mostly inspired by people being really angry about the new edition and the conflicting ideas of canon and continuity that come up as a result.
.We move on to Shadowdale next.
Anthing you write up about the Abolethic Sovereignty I'd dearly love to read.
It may throw you for a loop, but I'll be sure to put it on Running the Realms when I finish it up.
So is that total concealment for non Darkvision types, just 20% then, what? Travel w/ Light, Daylight, sunronds is a given, but they don't give much depth on the ground floor, but are surgically precise about light/fire/shadow magic to be sure. Odd.
I am kinda' fudging the rest. Geography is a twisted mirror, so that makes it easy, so on that end, I figure weather is too...albeit completely supernatural given no sunlight.
Not sure even how to adjust "Getting Lost". Cannibalized open plains (between Evereska & Anauroch shadow side), but the DC should be higher given no sunlight, shifting geography, etc.
Just throw out any ideas that you might have, see what sticks.
-On the issue of concealment, I'd give people partial concealment when walking and such. The thing is, though, 99.9% of the denizens of the plane have Darkvision, so cover because of darkness is a moot point.
-On the issue of concealment, I'd give people partial concealment when walking and such. The thing is, though, 99.9% of the denizens of the plane have Darkvision, so cover because of darkness is a moot point.
That was kind of my understanding...but for regular PCs, it's everything.
Still, given the literature, I thought it was implied there was no light. ie)Full darkness or blindness to those w/out Darkvision. I think I did read "moonless night" for the most part. Or 50% miss.
Others say it's just "shady gloom", or 20%. And if it is, how far out can you see conventionally? That's a pretty big jump and no one really knowns for certain.
As for Darkvision, yes, most of the denizens there have it, however, you get a bunch of typical off-world types (the PCs) from Faerun...eh, not so much. Only their Shadovar host and a Hagspawn Rune Scarred Berserker (part of a very small Rashemi delegation they rescued from the Prime material before they lept through the portal) have Darkvision.
G/f occaisionaly preps Ebon Eyes during combat which is gold, but long term Overland Travel, not so much. Their rogue is stuck (can't sneak attack in Concealment unless spells are employed) too. Only alternative is to travel w/ discrete lighting...but of course, this draws more wandering monsters.
My bro the mage, in all his infinite wisdom
has Darkvision on his spell list and a Lesser Metamagic Rod of Extend (@ 9th lvl, that's really good coverage in terms of Spot & time)...still rarely uses it. Just learned Teleport too, but it's uselss on the Plane of Shadow. Heh.Basically, it's 1/2 light from an Everburning Torch, occaisional sunrod...
But if it wasn't necessary, well, 20 or 50%. That's the big question.
related, heavy drama: There is a Hathran, "Irina Tupolev" (female Rashemi human cleric, Mystra). Baggage NPC, part of the Rashemi 4 they are escourting across Plane of Shadow (they were at Evereska w/ relief army on pilgrimage from Rashemen, "walk-a-bout" so to speak, previously before crossing).
Now, being stuck on Shar's homeplane, all manner of tension from "Galil", their Shadovar host/guide across Anauroch to City of Shade or allied point for planar crossing to the Prime, it's not looking good. His loyalties are decidely Sharran (as they should be given nationality, race, etc), and Irina's patron deity is her sworn enemy, plus on enemy god's home plane. You understand the predicament, yes?
Surely this can't end well but the PCs in question are trying to keep the peace, get everyone home to Faerun, etc. It's just their understanding is that Galil will lead them further into the Shadow mirror version of Anauroch, hopefully find allied Shadovar enclave, base, whatever on Shadow side, parley and use his diplomatic powers and nobility (he is a Shade afterall) to make good on his debt of honor (with the PCs, not the Rashemi, particularly the Mystran) to get PCs & himself home. Debt: That is, PCs saved his life in Evereska, so he secured their escape to the Plane of Shadow rather than everyone being overrun by undead in Evereska. It's just, the Rashemi pushed their way into the portal as well (they didn't want to die either).
So, it's a tenous situation at best and I'm unsure as to how to proceed. Assuming they get to a Shadovar enclave that can facilitate a Planeshift, access a planar galley, etc., I'm sure they would be loathe to help a Mystran in their company. Hell, they'd probably try and off her, right?
Ideally, Galil would secretly kill her as she's a "loose end" and hampering their (his) progress, but it's too risky. Too many PCs & remaining NPCs woudl turn on him...but then they'd be stuck in the Plane here. See the problem?
Only other considerations would be:
-Finding point of civilization on the Plane of Shadow (considering using town of "Balefire" from Tome of Magic's section on said plane and random populace).
-Brokering a deal w/ a mindflayer (Planeshift/will), though this makes them nervous, understandably so. It's "price" might not be in the realm of good align.
-Githyanki, neogi, etc; some planar merchants/travelers that might "ferry them home". Again, not very trustworthy.
-Hunt and peck for a scroll of Planeshift (PCs are 9th lvl), but there are 9 people altogether (bro's Wzd, g/f's Clr, buddy's Ftr, DMNPC Rog, Galil, and the 4 Rashemi to boot). Cost effective?
I had to make heavy modification as all players are levels 28-30 (been running this game for about 7 years). I also changed the backstory and the plot though the overall meta plot is pretty much the same.
Hey Diffan, next game the players are finally confronting the NPC's you created for me a few months back.
We have had a real problem getting together as work has been hectic, school has been hectic (one of my players finally finished his PhD) and almost everyone in the group is getting married this fall.Anyway, since you asked, I'm currently playing in a 3E Realms game that takes place in Tethyr (circa 1375 DR). The other players and DM happen to be posters here.
so are the spectators
so are the spectators
Heh, yeah.
so are the spectators
-Who have been conspicuously absent.
or are you talking about these boards?
The players are gunning for Ningal (bounty of 10 000 drakes) now...
Likely to end up chasing her around Toril. :D
true. But I did make a cameo no?
or are you talking about these boards?
-Hmm...A little bit of both. A little bit of both...
-Hmm...A little bit of both. A little bit of both...
I suppose